The importance of friendship (idea)

According to Gottman and Parker, child psychologytheorists, there are six important functions to adolescentfriendships. When a child lacks a function in a friendship they will experience confusion and conflict. They will feel lacking of something but without the ability to comprehend the source of their frustration they will lash out in a variety of ways. This often avoids the true issue considering friendships are the foundation of adolescent life.

The six functions theorized are as follows:

Companionship - The friend provides a partner to spend time with and share in group activities.